BASIS Independent McLean’s early childhood and primary students created and donating 20 hand-made animal beds, blankets, cat toys and dog treats to the Fairfax County Animal Shelter. For more information on the school, go to http://mclean.basisindependent.com.

“At BASIS Independent McLean, we teach our students how we’re all part of a bigger community, which is exactly what our animal bed project conveyed to our youngest students,” said Sean Aiken, head of school, BASIS Independent McLean of McLean, Va. “Not only did our students love creating the beds, but they were equally enthusiastic to learn that their hard work would bring comfort to so many animals in need,” said Aiken.

ABOUT FAIRFAX COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER:The Fairfax County Animal Shelter is Fairfax County’s only open-access, municipal shelter. With more than 4000 animals coming through its doors each year, the shelter provides a safe-haven for dogs, cats, and small animals like guinea pigs, rabbits and pet birds. At any given time, visitors to the adoption center can choose from 40 cats and kittens, 25 dogs and puppies, and dozens of small animals, all available for adoption. For more information, go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter.

ABOUT BASIS INDEPENDENT MCLEAN, VA: BASIS was founded in 1998 by Dr. Michael and Olga Block, world-class economists and academics, who developed a formula for success for every child by offering a rigorous, globally competitive liberal arts and science curriculum taught by passionate subject-expert teachers and supported by a culture of excellence. What began as a single campus in Tucson, Ariz. has grown to become a unique, high-achieving, network of schools with three independent, private schools in Brooklyn, N.Y., Silicon Valley and Fremont in Calif., and now in McLean, Va., with an international school in Shenzhen, China, and 16 public charter schools across the United States. Today, BASIS.ed students have propelled their schools to become the top ranked in the nation. BASIS Independent McLean is located at 8000 Jones Branch Drive in McLean, Va. Visit them at http://mclean.basisindependent.com, Facebook, Twitter@BASISInd or YouTube channel, BASIS.ed.